Australian boxing star Liam ‘The Prodigy’ Paro (27-1, 16 KOs) makes his return to the spotlight as he fights for his second world title this Wednesday against Northern Irishman, Lewis ‘The Croc’ Crocker (22-0, 11KOs).
The former IBF super lightweight world champion is set to put his two-fight win streak on the line on Wednesday, June 24 at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Queensland. If successful, he will claim the IBF World Welterweight Championship, his second world title across two weight divisions.
Paro has already cemented himself as one of Australia’s most successful boxing stories and he now has a claim to be the country’s most valuable combat sports commodity after No Limit Boxing submitted the highest-ever purse bid from an Australian-based promoter to secure promotional rights for his upcoming fight.
“I’m just truly, truly grateful for that. It just shows what No Limit are willing to do for their fighters and how much they believe in their fighters,” he told Fight News Australia.
“It just showed me that these guys are the real deal and they believe in their talent. So, I’m truly grateful, I’m truly humbled … and I’m just ready to make them proud.
“I’ve been faced with pressure my whole career … it’s boxing, man. If you’re going to fold under pressure, this ain’t the sport for you.”
Paro – now dubbed ‘Croc Hunter’ – is the latest Australian fighter under No Limit Boxing to compete on the world stage. Just this year alone, he will follow Nikita Tszyu’s TKO win over Oscar Diaz and Callum Peters’ unanimous decision win over Joeshon James, both in May.
“Every time I’m at the fights, I can’t sit still, I want to get in there. I’d rather be on the inside of the ropes than outside,” he said.
“But it’s been good to witness Australia and the guys get good wins. Australian boxing is absolutely booming at the moment with the talent coming through and the talent we’ve got at the top.”
Born in Mackay and residing in Brisbane, Liam Paro has seen the rise of Aussie boxing as he experienced the dominant performances of his fellow countrymen live from ringside.
In April, Sam Goodman and Tim Tszyu scored unanimous decision wins on the same card and the pair are already scheduled to fight again. Tszyu is set to take on former world champion Errol Spence Jr on Sunday, July 26, while Sam Goodman takes on Ryosuke Nishida for the interim IBF World Super Bantamweight Championship, date TBD.
“Australian boxing is in a very healthy place. It’s good to be a part of it all, and June 24, to be able to take another big leap in the right direction by bringing home another world title would be huge,” Paro said.
“That’s what it’s all about. As long as the sport keeps growing here, you can’t be upset about it. It’s unbelievable. It’s definitely getting bigger and it’s exactly what it needs.”
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The Brisbane card will also feature former NRL stars Nelson Asofa-Solomona and George Burgess in a highly anticipated heavyweight showdown. With tension building between the two former footy players, fans can expect fireworks, big blows and an explosive atmosphere when they step into the ring.
The other title fight of the night features Demsey McKean (24-2, 16 KOs) and Liam Talivaa (8-2, 4 KOs). This heavyweight matchup for the IBF Pan Pacific Heavyweight Title will not disappoint.
Unfortunately, local favourite Liam Wilson (18-3, 10 KOs) was forced to pull out of his fight with Romanian international Alexandru Marin (19-0, 12 KOs). Liam Paro is a big fan of Wilson and was very much looking forward to his fight.
“Anytime the two Liams are on a show, you can expect fireworks. We’ve shown that in the last two outings. He’s number two in the world in the WBO, so he deserves to be right up there, right on the card. He’s an exciting fighter, he’s a crowd-pleaser,” Paro told Fight News Australia.
The event will take place at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane on June 24. Tickets are available through Ticketek.
The event will be broadcast live in Australia on Main Event and Kayo Sports.